Songkran, the Thai New Year ~ Thailand

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In the past 3 days, Chiang Mai rocked to the sound of splashing water, whether it’s being splashed on Buddha statues or being sprayed from a water pistol on passers-by from the back of a tuk-tuk. Nobody was spared.

Buckets of icy water from behind pickup trucks. Water gun fights between young Thai children and farangs. Everybody celebrated Songkran, the Thai New Year.

The throwing of water originated as a way to pay respect to people and wash their “bad fortune” away. People paying visit to the temples collected some of the water after it had been poured over Buddha statues for cleansing and then used this “blessed” water to give good fortune to elders and family by gently pouring it on the shoulder.

The “gently pouring over the shoulder” soon evolved into probably the world’s most massive water fight with the younger generations. Since April is also the hottest month in Thailand, it was also a good way to relieve the heat.

While Songkran is celebrated all over Thailand (as well as neighboring South-East Asian countries), it is most famous in Chiang Mai thanks to the presence of a moat around the old city walls, which means endless water supply for 3 days.

Here are a few shots I’ve gathered in the last 3 years from celebrating Songkran from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Sawatdee Pee Mai!

Madness on Khao San Road, the backpacker’s HQ in Bangkok, Thailand. Elephants were also brought for the massive 5-day party.~~oOo~~

Waiting to get drenched on Khao San road in Bangkok.~~oOo~~

Young and old, everyone joins the party and takes part of the water fight.~~oOo~~

This old lady took her job very seriously and splashed me after I finished taking her photo.~~oOo~~

The narrow street soon became crowded as music was blasting from every bar and people started dancing wherever they could stand.~~oOo~~

High pressure guns were also used to splash passers-by. This year (2012), the government decided to ban the use of high-pressure tools to avoid injury.~~oOo~~

Stalls selling empty buckets are installed along the moat in Chiang Mai, Thailand.~~oOo~~

Easiest way to fill your bucket in Chiang Mai? Grab warm green water from the moat around the old city.~~oOo~~

If moat water is not enough for you, big blocks of ice are available to purchase and surprise passers-by with an icy cold shower.~~oOo~~

The roads along the moat in Chiang Mai become congested as people gather up to play with water.~~oOo~~

Unfortunately, a lot of road accidents happen too as people get drunk and start splashing speeding motorbikes.~~oOo~~

Water guns are the weapon of choice for young people participating in the water fight.~~oOo~~

Patiently waiting for trucks and tuk-tuks to pass by before drenching them.~~oOo~~

Young Thai filling up their truck with buckets of moat water before going on another round.~~oOo~~

People hire trucks and tuk-tuks to drive along the moat and enjoy the party.~~oOo~~

A tuk-tuk waiting for passengers to drive along the moat and join the festivities.~~oOo~~

Whether you are carrying a camera or not, you will get drenched. It’s part of the fun.~~oOo~~

Sawatdee Pii Mai, Happy New Year!~~oOo~~

If you liked the photos, you can check out the photo essay I did last year entitled the Children of Songkran.

Fantastic photos. For some reason I’ve had the impression that Songkran can be overrun by tourists, but I loved that your shots were almost all of locals enjoying their celebrations. The old lady one is great!

Thanks!
Yes there are areas with mostly foreigners (like on Khao San road in Bangkok or around Tha Phae gate in Chiang Mai). I prefer to play with Thai people, they’re much nicer and there’s no extremely loud music piercing your eardrums.

Great Pictures. I was to scared to bring my camera since I’m lacking the right protective gear :) Really great. I love the pic of the old lady aiming at you. I bet she could even make the Terminator starting to shiver ;-)

Great shots man and I remember my first time seeing it myself. For me it was nothing but partying as I was to afraid to take my camera out then. Curious, what did you do to protect your camera when out? What set-up did you rig up and did anything bad happen at all?